Runnin' Down A Dream

At the start line

This weekend marked both my and Jer's first official half marathon. Although I've run 13+ miles before, I never "got the t-shirt," and when a friend from here in Colorado told me about the Gemini Desert Rats Trailrunning Festival in Fruita, Colorado, I figured it was time.Have I mentioned that Colorado has spoiled me? There is absolutely no shortage of natural features here in which to totally destroy yourself in the pursuit of an endorphin rush. And yeah, we here at the Salyer-Sullenger casa equate suffering with fun. That being said, there still was no suffering in this weekend's race; it was pure fun from mile one. Even the 2000 foot climb on rocks the consistency of jagged dragon's scales brought an element of enjoyment (especially when passing other people). The best part is the half marathon was actually a half marathon plus two miles. And every minute was sweet.If you haven't seen the trails in western Colorado, you're missing out. They are pure bliss. Every mountain biker I know has already discovered this nirvana, but I had yet to experience it. Trail running makes road running seem like self-flagellation--they just don't compare. Both Jer and I are already laying in plans for next year (perhaps a 25 miler instead of the half...).But the real hero of the weekend was our friend who pushed himself through 50 miles of running in twelve hours. We're talking over 8000 feet of elevation change. And 50 miles of running. Witnessing the kind of mental and physical endurance some people have really helps one put into perspective how anything is truly possible if you are determined enough. It's truly inspiring. Did I mention that it was 50 miles of running?Along those same lines, I watched the movie 127 Hours this weekend, another illustration of how indomitable a person's will can be if they want something bad enough. Danny Boyle pulled off yet another intriguing film (and a whole lot better than Slumdog Millionaire, though he still hasn't topped 28 Days Later, in my opinion).  In reality, running 50 miles and cutting off your own arm are really about the same thing--wanting to live a full life.So here's to a full life! What are the things that bring you joy and make you feel like you're living up to the potential you were meant for?

At the finish line

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First (new) Post and Boulder First Impressions

Ack! I’ve been meaning to start (ok, re-start) this blog since I moved to Boulder, and just keep finding other things to do. But, dear reader, it is Your Lucky Day! My brain is beginning its countdown to droolius abomicus status due to a very interesting, yet somewhat frazzling, day and I need a break from my book. In the category of good news, the novel is at a little over 70,000 words right now (this is the second novel, those who know me already know that I’ve also written another one. This is the sequel.), and have very good hopes that it will be done, at least the first draft, no later than the end of May. Woohoo! It took me about four years to write the first one, and this one’s come along in less than one year. Either I’m getting better, or I’m getting boring-er. I know, not a word, but I like the alliterative quality. OK, let me just keep this short. Here’s what’s been on my mind since I moved to Boulder.First impressions:It’s as warm as shit here! Uh, sorry, maybe not the best simile, but you get the idea. Even though the temp says 46 F, it usually feels like it’s in the mid-sixties thanks to the dry and the sun. Awesome!The traffic lights believe in pain. I’m not sure if they’re endowed with human-like sadistic tendencies, or the city engineers who decided on the timing, but the results are the same. They’re so short that you have to floor it to get through. The idea of traffic control here is to make it too frustrating to drive a car. Lights are only green for approximately 4 seconds, so if you’re the fourth car back, you get to wait twice. If you’re beyond that, you may get through by dinnertime. Eugene drivers would barely make it into the intersection before that light went from green to red.I’m beginning to regard rain as a strange wet substance that occasionally, for no apparent reason, falls from the sky. And I don’t mind this at all.That’s all for now!